Q: Should the Heat sign JaVale McGee? McGee with Hassan Whiteside and Birdman would give us the best shot-blocking front line in the league. Is there any way that rotation would work? Could either Chris Andersen or McGee play power forward alongside Whiteside? Is McGee athletic enough to defend the four spot? -- Kevin, New York.

A: Based on Saturday, when Chris Andersen was out and the Heat had to scramble for depth behind Whiteside, and then based on Monday, when Whiteside was ejected and all the Heat had otherwise in the middle was Birdman, I think adding another center would make plenty of sense, considering every single game likely will matter the balance of the season. When Birdman was out, the Heat had to start Henry Walker just so they could have Udonis Haslem available to play as the backup center. Basically, if Birdman and Whiteside are out, the Heat have no depth at center. The issue is that when Whiteside and Birdman are healthy, there wouldn't necessarily be minutes for...

A look at the starting lineups, inactives, referees and a pregame note of note for Monday's 7:30 game between the Heat and Suns at AmericanAirlines Arena (TV: Sun Sports. Radio: 790-AM, 104.3-FM, 106.3-FM, 710-AM-Spanish), with Dragic and Birdman active.

Starting lineups

MIAMI HEAT (25-33)

Center: Hassan Whiteside

Power forward: Udonis Haslem

Small forward: Luol Deng

Shooting guard: Dwyane Wade

Point guard: Goran Dragic

Inactive: Josh McRoberts, Chris Bosh.

Coach: Erik Spoelstra

PHOENIX SUNS (31-29)

Center: Alex Len

Power forward: Markieff Morris

Small forward: P.J. Tucker

Shooting guard: Brandon Knight

Point guard: Eric Bledsoe

Inactive: Danny Granger.

Coach: Jeff Hornacek.

Referees: Zach Zarba, Karl Lane, Mark Lindsay.

Pregame note of note: Heat center Hassan Whiteside has grabbed at least nine rebounds in 13 of his last 14 games (he had seven Friday at New Orleans) and has scored in double-figures in 20 of his last 22 games.

Q: Ira, I watch every minute of every Heat game. Erik Spoelstra always has an excuse, and Dwyane Wade has more. Why is no one angry? -- Ed, Miami.

A: I don't think "anger" serves much of a purpose, but I do think there is ample disappointment. The reality this season is that Spoelstra tends to dissect specifics after the game, especially when he is seated at postgame interview table. (He tends to be more effusive on the road, amid the mayhem in the hallways outside the locker room.) I think what the Heat miss with Chris Bosh, beyond his contributions on the court, is his raw emotion after games in the locker room. Dwyane Wade tends to be much more evenhanded with his postgame analysis, and few others in the locker room seem to believe they have the right to speak up on such a veteran-dominated team. Bosh always was out there with his raw, visceral comments. When the Heat lost, he hurt, and he let you know. The Heat locker room right now is almost a group of strangers unwilling to step...

Q: How come the Heat don't run their offense through Hassan Whiteside? I know it is a lot for a rookie. But if teams double-team him, then Luol Deng is open, Goran Dragic is open, Dwyane Wade is open, Henry Walker is open, someone is open! -- S.R.

A: First, he is not a rookie, actually in his third NBA season. Beyond that, he has not yet reached the level with his post play where he has required a double-team. He tends to either go directly to the basket on the catch, often for alley-oops, or quick hooks. There is not much there at the moment from a back-to-the basket standpoint. And yet, with all of that said, perhaps it's time to at least greater consideration to getting the ball to Whiteside inside. Yes, as Wade said after Saturday's game, the Hawks are notorious for packing the paint. But that's where a system and structure come into play. On nights such as Saturday, when nothing it dropping from outside, it would be nice to at least have an inside option. It's not something Udonis...